Glasgow's Ryan Wilson excited about facing Edinburgh in 1872 Cup

Ryan Wilson admits that his two-year sojourn in Scotland has had no obvious
effect on his home counties accent, but the No 8 has gone completely native
as far as his passion for the 1872 Cup is concerned.

That much was obvious in his performance in the first leg of the annual inter-city clash at Scotstoun last weekend, as Wilson put in a conspicuously energetic display in Glasgow’s back row as they took a 23-14 lead in the contest.

As a consequence of that result, Edinburgh will have to win by at least 10 points at Murrayfield on Saturday afternoon if they are to reclaim the trophy that has been in Glasgow hands for the past three seasons. They will also have to subdue Wilson, something they clearly failed to do a week ago.

“Last Friday night was fantastic,” beamed the 23-year-old forward. “It was good to get the win, and it will be exactly the same going over to Murrayfield. They'll want to put on a big show over there and we will want to disrupt their party.”

Wilson will take his customary place in a Glasgow back row which has been rearranged to accommodate the return of Josh Strauss from his wedding in South Africa. Strauss has been chosen on the blindside flank, with Rob Harley moved across to do a shift on the openside.

Strauss, signed from the Golden Lions two months ago, might have been expected to make the No.8 position his own, but Wilson has raised his game since the newcomer’s arrival. Competition for places has become a critical part of the Scotland pro team strategy this season, and Wilson believes the policy is paying off.

Wilson said: “You see throughout the squad the strength and depth is fantastic. Having Straussy here is brilliant. He is a great rugby player, so strong, and I'm chuffed that we will be playing together this weekend.

“I've come on as a sub alongside him, but it will be good to start with him. Josh is a good player; he pushes me and I push him, which is a good way to be in a rugby club.”

Wilson was beginning to look like an international prospect towards the end of last season, but a knee injury put paid to that possibility. In that regard, the national trial dimension of the Glasgow - Edinburgh clashes has a particular importance for the former Moseley player.

“I feel like I'm learning more and more and feel I am playing quite well at the moment,” he expkained. “It's nice to get back-to-back games especially in the Edinburgh derbies. It didn't happen for me last year so to be starting both of them this season is a great opportunity for me, especially with selectors watching for Scotland.

“I like the way we're playing. Counter-attack rugby suits my game. I'm quite a lightweight forward and I love the running game. My own game is definitely coming back on, which is nice.”

Wilson’s direct opponent at Murrayfield will be Netani Talei, who missed last weekend’s clash at Scotstoun. At his best, the Fijian is an outstanding and powerful ball carrier, but Wilson, who qualifies for Scotland through his Lanarkshire-born mother, made the mischievous suggestion that those Pacific Island roots might count against Talei this weekend.

Wilson said: “He will be wanting to get into us. But he doesn't have the Scottish side to him, so maybe this game means less to him. I'm not sure.”

Edinburgh have confirmed that Lewis Niven will cover the tighthead prop position from the bench, Willem Nel having failed to recover from the hamstring strain he picked up in the first match.